I have had the Behringer Xenyx 802 mixer since 2006.  

Major gratitude to the forum admins in the FL Studio forum, who recommended the mixer to me after I told them I had to hook up a condenser mic, the Roland Fantom X-8 keyboard, the Stanton T.80 Turntable, and possibly a TV! (the audio output of anything on TV).  

I also have the Mbox2, and I must say that the Pre-Amp inside the Xenyx 802 amplifies much better than the MBox2.  The mixer, with the Phantom Power and XLR condenser mic plugged in, really makes recording vocals at home a clear quality.  When doing this tactic, the Mbox2 only serves as a gateway into the computer (Where I record into FL Studio); it's input gain is completely turned down.  The same thing goes for anything plugged into the Behringer Mixer like a Keyboard or Turntable; it seems to boost the audio power.

I recently utilized the FX Send and Return feature in the video: Put the Gun Down Human Being - The small echo is from an analog delay, and the DEEP PITCHED VOCALS on the HOOK is actually from the send/return feature. (a pitch shift fx of sorts)  You can use this feature on the mixer for anything - many times these FX sends are a way to input some Reverb, Echo, Delay, Pitch, and other fun and interesting music/electronic effects.  


The unit also has some RCA inputs, as well as a main out and control room out.

When using in conjunction with the computer, I simply use the main out of the mixer into the Mbox2, which connects via usb into the computer.

Maybe one down side regarding the mixer is the power plug in, which has to be fed into the back of the mixer.  No biggie, but that part can get damaged; it is the only piece I have replaced on the mixer since owning in 2006.  Actually, the only damage was to the metal prongs, so take a look inside and be sure not to abuse it.  (I simply never knew they were there)

My buddy in Fort Wayne actually took this unit to a jam session with a band, and the results were pretty damn slick.  So in a live environment, it definitely gets the job done.  

Check out the Xenyx 802 mixer for many applications, clear electronics, and a solid design. 

The unit has a purple/blue laser when on.




 

Thumbs up to the Direct Sound EX29 Professional Headphones.  These were gifted to me while working at Sweetwater Sound in Fort Wayne Indiana.  The owner of the headphones is quite the cool man, and gave our class (training class before hitting the sales floor) free pairs.  I used them in a coffee shop where I created the foundation for what was to be my Deck the Halls Christmas Remix; a competition at work where people submitted enough material for a double disc CD. I used the EX29 headphones to sample deck the halls, as well as add sub bass from Reason in the coffee shop @ Mocha Lounge (Fort Wayne, IN), sequencing in FL Studio. 

In Fort Wayne, my buddy Matt Lowe who engineered @ Tree Sound Studios in ATL recorded most of my vocals.  When I returned to Cleveland, the EX29's helped me again.  The feeling around your head really shuts out the outside noise; this helps tremendously when recording vocals because the microphone won't pick up the leaking of the headphones...or as little as possible.  


On the inside of the headphones, there is a RED color for the right side of your head, instantly squashing the left or right inquiry. ;)

I have used the amazing Bose Quiet Comfort 2, and the EX29's definitely cancel out much of the exterior noise as well.

There's a large sized cup for your ears and the headphones themselves are quite substantial in size, coming with a handy 1/4" adapter that SCREWS onto the tip of the standard 1/8" jack.  (high quality as well).  

Overall, although they came out of nowhere, I have exclusively used the EX29's to produce all of my material since 2011.  

I consider them a blessing and they are legit headphones, whether you are mixing or recording vocals (extra bonus due to less leakage).  They are made of quality components and I never had a single problem. 

Pictured circa 2011; Fort Wayne, Indiana donning the EX29's.






 

 I recently received a nice gift from my dad - the Korg 05R/W.  I used this sound module as a teenager in my dad's analog studio.  I'm really excited to explore the 236 sounds and use this little puppy as my "secret weapon."  The sounds are very good and consist of ambient patches, organs, drums, and ethnic variations.  I looked up the PDF on google and found a quick start and user manual here.  I'll probably use this module when writing songs for film and tv licensing because I want to be original as possible and this will help the creative pallete.